Duke   University   Libraries 

To  a  Christian 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #927 

0^113^3  + 


No,  43 

TO  A  CHRISTIAN  IN  THE  ARMY. 


My  Dear  Brother  : — I  need  hardly  remind  you  that 
your  present  situation  has  much  that  is  unfavorable  to  the 
culture  of  the  Christian  graces.  The  very  idea  of  war 
implies  as  much.  You  are  removed  from  the  restraints  of 
Church,  family,  social  life,  and  a  regulated  public  opinion  ; 
and  exposed  to  scenes  in  camp,  that  are  unfriendly  to  vir- 
tue as  well  as  piety ;  the  more  often  in  contact  with  un- 
godly, and  often  sceptical  men,  who  sneer  at  all  religion 
as  delusive,  or  deceptive  ;  and  compelled  to  witness  sin  so 
constantly,  that  you  are  in  danger  of  I  •  horror  of 

it  which  you  ought   constantly  to   cherish.     The  force  of 
these  things  is  mournfully  attested  by  the  number  of  pr 
fessed  christians,  who   have    fallen    away    in   the    army,  m 
marking  a  sorrowful  career  which   beginning  at  the  cod 
munion  table,  ends  in  the  grave  of  the  drunkard,  the  blas- 
phemer or  the  gambler.     That   these   influent- 
counteracted  is  proven  by  the  many   bright    examples  of 
those  who  have  shown  that  a  christian  soldier   is  as  possi- 
ble now  as  it  ev^r  has  been.     Pardon  then   a  few  sugges- 
tions to  enable  you  to  be  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Chi 

1.  Remember  that  you  are  a  witness  for  Jesus  in  your 
present  position,  and  that  your  obligations  are  increased 
rather  than  lessened  by  entering  the  army.  That  "  light 
of  the  world  "  and  "  salt  of  the  earth,"  that  is  so  needful 
in  the  quiet  of  peaceful  society,  is  much  more  needful  in 
a  state  of  things  where  thousands  of  men  are  brought  to- 
gether under  circumstances  likely  to  develop  all  that  is 
evil  in  their  hearts,  many  of  whom  are  to  die  away  from  the 
influences  of  religion,  and  the  rest  to  return  home  to  com- 
municate there  the  moral  character  they  have  formed  in  ths 


« 


army.     You  never  needed  your  religion  more  than  you  do 
now,  and  never  had  more  reason  to  cultivate  it. 

2.  Take  special  heed  of  your  heart.  The  most  vigilant 
watch  is  always  kept  at  the  place  most  likely  to  be  assailed, 
and  all  experience  shows  that  in  the  christian  warfare, 
that  is  the  heart.  This  watchfulness  is  the  more  needful 
because  of  the  absence  of  the  aids  you  once  enjoyed  in 
keeping  alive  the  love  of  God,  and  the  mingled  monoto- 
my  and  excitement  of  camp  life,  while  you  pace  your  soli- 
tary round  as  a  sentinel,  or  do  duty  as  a  scout  or  picket. 
You  may  often  commune  with  youHieart,  discover  its  con- 
dition before  God,  and  "Strengthen  the  things  that  re- 
main." 

3.  Keep  up  as  far  as  possible  the  religious  habits  of 
your  home  life.  You  may  not  always  be  able  to  keep  the 
Sabbath,  and  observe  religious  duties  in  the  week,  as  you 
did  in  peace,  but  you  may  always  "  remember  "  the  Sab- 
bath, and  redeem  as  much  of  its  time  to  holy  uses  as  pos- 
sible; may  daily  read  some  portion  of  Scripture  ;  may  have 
worship  in  your  tent  when  in  camp,  and  often  in  the 
weariness  of  a  march;  may  pray  in  private,  even  if  you 
are  compelled  to  kneel  in  the  sight  of  your  comrades  ;  and 
by  thus  keeping  up  the  devotional  habits  of  home,  may 
meet  its  dear  ones  in  the  stated  approaches  which  you 
make  in  concert  to  the."  blood-bought  mercy  seat."  The 
brave  Havelock  always  gained  time  for  his  religious  duties 
by  rising  two  hours  before  drum-beat,  and  thus  kept  alive 
the  grace  of  God  in  his  heart.  If  you  intermit  the  regu- 
lar, stated  discharge  of  these  duties,  you  are  in  danger  of 
omitting  them  altogether. 

4.  Do  not  be  ashamed  of  Christ,  It  is  neither  needful 
nor  proper  to  make  a  sanctimonious  .ostentation  of  your 
religion,  but  it  is  equally  improper  to  make  a  timid  con- 
cealment of  it.  A  gentle  and  quiet,  but  firm  and  fearless 
avowal  of  your  religion  will  gain  you  the  respect  of  even 


■ 

the  ungodly,  and  protect  you  from  man}-  a  solicitation  to      * 
sin.     In  battle  there  in  generally  more  safety  in  facing  the 
foe  than  iu  flying,  for  the  greatest  slaughter  is  usually  on 

the  retreating  columns,  and  so  it  is  in  rhe  Christian  war- 
fare. The  panoply  of  its  armor  has  no  defence  for  the 
Lack.     Show  your  colors,  and  then  stand  to  them. 

5;   Seek  to  honor  Christ  by  your  conduct.     Many  think 
that  a  Christian  is  either  a  gloomy,   moi 
pitiful;  canting  coward,  wh  a  cloak 

for  indolence,  or  poltroonery.  Show  by  your  conduct  that 
all  this  is  a  mistake.  Be  cheerful,  hopeful,  ready  for  any 
innocent  relaxation,  mirthful  if  need  be,  for  no  man  on 
to  be  happier  than  a  christian,  and  true  religion  never  yet 
made  a  man  less  happy,  if  he  understood  and  received  it 
aright.  Be  also  prompt  and  manly  in  every  duty  and 
danger,  shirking  no  call  to  labor,  bearing  heroically  your 
needful  privations,  calmly   ;  in   the   hour    of 

peril,  knowing  that  his  protection  is  around  you  then, 
much  as  in  your  quiet  home,  and  she  ourcoolm. 

and  courage,  that  the  same  religion  that  makes  you  bow 
"like  a  bulrush"  before  God,  will  also  make  you  stand 
••  like  a  stone  wall  "  before  man. 

6.  Seek  opportunities  of  doing  good.     The  d( 
sickness  or  wounding'of  your  comrades  will  present  many 
such.     A  word  thus,  will  often  lead  the  soul  ;  <nd 

as  you  show  kindness  to  body  and  mind,  you  will  have 
ready  access  to  the  soul.  Supply  yourself  as  far  as  possi- 
ble with  tracts,  to  meet  such  opportunities,  and  give  them 
judiciously.  The  delicate  duty  of  reproving  sin,  may  often 
thus  be  performed  successfully.  This  may  be  done  so  as 
to  exasperate  and  harden  the  offender,  but  if  you  gently, 
kindly,  and  in  most  cases  privately  speak  to  him  of  his  sin, 
in  sorrow  and  not,  in  anger,  he  will  at  least  be  grateful  to 
you,  for  he  knows  that  it  is  a  mark  of  kindness  to  him. 
The  sorrowful  look  of  a  swimming  eye    has  often    -ent  a 


deeper  reproof  to  the  heart  than  the  most  cutting  words 
could  have  done.  Love,  love  of  Christ  arid  love  of  souls, 
will  always  be  an  infallible  guide  in  such  things. 

7.  Keep  eternity  in  view  as  constantly  as  possible.  You 
may  be  ushered  into  it  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and 
therefore,  should  have  it  always  before  you,  a  radiant  light 
to  guide  you,  a  joyous  prospect  to  cheer  you,  a  glorious 
hope  to  strengthen  you.  You  will  thus  be  prepared  for  the 
summons,  let  it  come  as  it  may,  and  be  ready  to  enter  into 
the  joy  of  your  Lord. 

In  one  word,  keep  your  religion  always  close-  to  your 
heart.  A  soldier  in  one  of  our  battles,  was  saved  from 
death  by  a  Testament  in  his  breast  pocket  which  arrested 
the  ball  that  was  aimed  at  his  heart.  Had  it  been  in  his 
tent,  or  his  knapsack,  or  any  where  but  just  where  it  was, 
lying  close  to  his  breast,  it  could  not  have  saved  him.  Let 
the  word  of  Christ  rest  thus  close  to  your  heart,  and  it 
will  keep  it  warm,  shield  it  from  the  fiery  missiles  of  the 
evil  one,  cheer  and  guide  it  in  life,  and  in  death  light  it 
joyously  through  the  dark  valley. 


THANKSGIVING  FOR  VICTORY.        S.  M. 

With  brave  but  beating  heart,     4  A  victory  we  have, 

We  inarched  to  meet  the  foe,  Because  thovt  helped  us  Lord. 

Uncertain  what  should   be  our    Ehse  Ave'd  been  covered  by  the 
part —  wave  % 

Who  should  in  death  lie  low.        And  fallen  'neath  the  sword. 
We  longed  the  day  to  win,  6  To  thee  the  praise  is  due,  < 

And  drive  the  invader  back.  To  thee  our  thanks  we  give. 

Thus  we  would  help  a  peace  to     O  help  us  love  and  serve  thee  too, 
gain,  And  to  thy  glory  live. 

The  blessing  that  we  seek.        6  And  when  comes  our  last  fight, 
Thy  goodness,  Lord,  we  tell    •  That  fight  which  all  must  make, 

We  bless  thy  wondrous  grace.    -Bring  us  oil*  conquerors,  through 
While  bullets  new,  and  many  fell ,  thy  might, 

We  did  not  end  our  race.  For  our  Redeemer's  sake. 

|  CXXTV,  Psalm,  verses  4  and  5, 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


